Facebook right in blocking Sikh group’s page, rules US court

Washington, November 18

In a major victory for Facebook, a US court has ruled that it can block content without explanation after a Sikh group filed a lawsuit challenging the blocking of its social media page.

The ruling by the US court in San Francisco came in response to the lawsuit filed against the Silicon Valley-headquartered company by the “Sikh for Justice” (SFJ), which alleged its Facebook page that advocated Sikh separatism was blocked by the social media giant.

In its lawsuit, the SFJ claimed Facebook at the behest of the Indian Government blocked its page because of its outspoken campaign against government’s alleged persecution of Sikhs and advocating for Sikh referendum in Punjab.

The SFJ sought a permanent injunction ordering Facebook to stop restricting access, and any documents or correspondence with the Indian Government related to a request that Facebook block its page.

US District Judge Lucy Koh, in her November 13 ruling, said the Sikh group’s claims of religious discrimination were precluded under the Communications Decency Act, which protects providers of “interactive computer services” by barring courts from treating service providers such as Facebook as the publishers or speakers of speech created by others.

“We will appeal and challenge the decision of Judge Koh, which is just an extension of Facebook action of blocking SFJ’s page at the behest of the Indian Government,” alleged attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal adviser to SFJ. — PTI